Moorland March 2016

Moorland March 2016

Next week marks the start of Moorland March 2016, and we’re very excited about it. 

Moorland March is a new festival hosted by the Making the Most of Moorlands Project, which will celebrate all things moorland through a series of events, workshops and exhibitions. The team have been planning this since autumn last year, contacting activity organisers, liaising with local accommodation providers, involving the local arts community and pulling together an amazing month of events. 

The festival will begin on Tuesday the 1^st, with the festival and exhibitions launch, beginning at 6.30pm at the Tourism & Community Hub and visiting the Old Post Office. Cut the Mustard Gallery, who are also putting on a Moorland Themed Exhibition will be open for the evening, as will Blue Moon – where the crafters have been busy making a moorland banner to display in their window. The Community Café at Canonbie church will also be displaying moorland art work during its normal March Opening Hours.

If arts and crafts are your thing, you are spoilt for choice during Moorland March. Alongside the 4 exhibitions, there are a number of different workshops being run by local makers. Leather bracelet making, wool felting and willow weaving are all available during the month of march.

Ann Smith

Ann Smith

If you’re out on the moor on Saturday the 5^th , you may be surprised to hear singing and chatter. It’s our “Guided Walk with a difference”, with highlights including music, local history and a wild food cooking demonstration from local celebrity chef John Crouch. For only £10 this is an event not to be missed.

Scotland’s most celebrated nature photographer, Laurie Campbell, will be running full day photography masterclasses on the 12^th and 13^th, which there are only a few spaces left on. Local photographer, Barry Young, is offering shorter guided photography walks, lasting 2 hours on the 19^th and the 26^th. The 19^th is now SOLD OUT, so be sure to snap up a place quickly for the 26^th. 

Grey Heron, Laurie Campbell.

If something a bit different tickles your fancy, Keith Kirk and the team from Nocturnal Wildlife Tours will have their LandRover, complete with various night vision and thermal imaging devices, at the Laverock Birdhide, 3-5pm, Saturday 19^th. For a small fee you can also book a tour out with them onto the moor after darkness falls. 

Saturday 19^th will be a busy day at the Laverock Birdhide, with North Solway Ringing Group giving a bird ringing demo in the morning. Drop in to see how birds are caught and ringed, and a view of your favourite garden species up close.

A blog post hardly seems long enough to summarise all the wonderful events going on, later in the month there are guided watches, ponk treks, and an Easter Sunday gathering at the monument. Blue Moon are hosting two children’s moorland craft workshops and the project are running a range of kids Easter holiday activities.

To see a full list of events, including booking information, please visit the Making the Most of Moorlands website. 

We look forward to seeing you over the coming month!

- Beckie Davies, Education Assistant